JAD02 Advanced English for PhD studies (C1)

Faculty of Science
Spring 2022
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Anjuli Pandavar, PhD (seminar tutor)
Joseph Lennon, Ph.D. (assistant)
Lenka Pavlíková (assistant)
Mgr. Monika Ševečková, Ph.D. (assistant)
Guaranteed by
Anjuli Pandavar, PhD
Language Centre, Faculty of Science Division – Language Centre
Supplier department: Language Centre, Faculty of Science Division – Language Centre
Prerequisites
Knowledge of English: Instructor: native or minimum C2, Participant: C1 or B2+
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
Course objectives
To equip students to successfully apply the English language to all higher academic functions and to prepare students for international engagement.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to: Communicate fluently in English at C1 level in the performance of all higher academic functions, such as: • Formulate written theses proposals • Formulate written project proposals • Prepare written submissions for publications • Present at conferences and symposia • Defend controversial propositions • Rebut established positions • Deliver compelling presentations • Engage in sustained discourse on any topic Plan and execute a three-month project Liaise internationally Reach an international agreement Collaborate in teams, both locally and internationally Conduct interviews Evaluate the academic merits of a source Practise various cognitive skills Interrogate a text for a range of academic purposes Be digitally literate, including online research skills and web design skills Reflect on their own development as learners
Syllabus
  • The 21st-century world of work Digital literacy and COIL Metacognition and reflection Advanced English for precision Advanced English for approximation Intellectual property International knowledge-sharing Projects
Literature
  • The presumption is that students will research and choose their own literature. The course will provide context-setting and other supportive resources
Teaching methods
The course is organised on the basis of project-based experiential learning, a form of autonomous learning. Students work in teams based on some academic communality. The teams persist for the duration of their first semester. In their second semester, students undertake a significant international project for which they are encouraged to form new teams. Students are responsible for organising and managing their own work, with the instructor on hand to guide and advise. During the first semester, instruction will be mainly through seminars, critiques and micro-lectures. Each student will receive 30-minutes one-to-one feedback at least once per semester, but written and ad hoc verbal feedback throughout. During the second semester, the seminars will be divided between online and physical venues (not necessarily a classroom). Seminar content will be driven by the students’ projects. Throughout the two semesters, including holidays, students complete a short learning reflection each weekend.
Assessment methods
Evaluation is by Portfolio and active class participation. During the first semester, team members receive a common grade for their project work, with grade augmentation or reduction for individual participants at the instructor’s discretion. Evaluation of the Portfolio will be for a full complement of required components, with penalties for late or substandard submissions. Class participation is assessed on the basis of individual performance during seminars and teamwork. During the second semester, assessment is on the basis of the number of blogs completed on time to standard, participating in the online discussions and adding the international project to the Portfolio.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Information on completion of the course: Continuous and portfolio assessment
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
Credit evaluation note: Output level C1, C1+ or C2, depending on level at entry + performance.
Teacher's information
This is a two-semester course running over two consecutive semesters. The credit-value of four credits per semester reflects both the duration and its demanding nature of the course. Although initially offered only to PhD students of the Life Sciences, the course is designed to be suitable for students from any Faculty or academic background. Students are encouraged to customise the course to their particular academic interests.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2021, Spring 2024, Spring 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2022, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/sci/spring2022/JAD02